'Gay lobby' remark stirs fuss: Opinionline

What people are saying about the Pope's candid comments

Mary Elizabeth Williams, Salon: "He's only three months into the job, and Pope Francis has already more than distinguished himself as the pontiff most likely to go rogue. His latest oh-no-he-didn't move? The revelation this week that during a recent audience with the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious, the Argentine pope acknowledged, 'In the Curia, there are holy people. But there is also a stream of corruption.' He then added, 'The "gay lobby" is mentioned, and it is true, it is there. We need to see what we can do.'"

John L. Allen Jr., National Catholic Reporter: "Reports that Pope Francis allegedly referred to a 'gay lobby' ... have revived interest in a storyline that first erupted in February, following the surprise resignation announcement by Pope Benedict XVI. ... Back then, Italian news outlets created a sensation by claiming that a commission of three cardinals empaneled by Benedict to investigate the leaks scandal identified a 'gay lobby' potentially involved in airing the Vatican's dirty laundry. ... It's no secret there are gays in the Vatican, and it's reasonable to think officials would be concerned that insiders with a secret to keep might be vulnerable to various kinds of pressure. The issue ... isn't so much their sexuality, but rather the potential for manipulation anytime someone serving the pope is leading a double life."

Father Allan J. McDonald, Southern Orders: "The problem is how the pope is saying this and not saying it with authority but in a 'gossipy' sort of way that undermines the papacy eventually. Perhaps a well thought out letter ... needs to come from the pope setting out his agenda, clarifying his remarks and maybe apologizing for speaking too frankly, not realizing that every word he utters goes viral and not always to his benefit, or the benefit of Holy Mother Church or her papacy, which does not belong exclusively to Papa Bergoglio. Pope Benedict had to eat crow a few times and did so with grace."

Janet Tavakoli, The Huffington Post: "Pope Francis' comments are treated as if they are a bombshell. Yet nothing about his comments is new. The only shocking element of his statements is that he spoke the truth out loud and in public to the global community of Catholics. Pope Francis I explained the reality of the Vatican power structure, and if he is allowed to live long enough, it seems he means to change it."

Nick Mattos, PQ Monthly: "The Vatican's 'gay lobby' may indeed be a dramatically powerful force within the Catholic Church — some even believe that they contributed directly to the former Pope Benedict XVI's resignation. However, Pope Francis is evidently not willing to put up with flak from internal lobbies, gay or otherwise. Back in March, The New Yorker reported that the pontiff was showing some early signs of being opposed to the structure and makeup of the Curia at the time of his taking the reins of Rome."

Father Dwight Longenecker, Aleteia: "If Pope Francis is to take action against this shadowy 'gay lobby,' the best way forward will not be a purge or witch hunt, but a positive appeal for all the curial officials to live up to their ordination vows. No matter how complex the situation, the problem will be solved not first by punishment and banishment, but by renewal and reform from within the human heart. This renewal and reform requires a return to the Gospel ideals of Christ-like simplicity, self-sacrifice and service."